The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 200: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE HEAD CONSTABLE 183 oreat many rooms to inspect, and, moreover, as one does not exactly like to come here alone, I have usually been accompanied by three or four of the other domestics. Well, on coming into the chapel just now, I thought I heard the sounds of footsteps retreating into the cloister. I cried out for my comrades to hasten hither. They came, and we dis- covered this fellow crouching behind one of the monuments. Three of us tried to drag him out, while another hastened to the passage window, threw it open, and shouted for assistance, for we did not know but what there might be more of them concealed in the place. The fellow struggled desperately, as you may have seen — ’’ ‘“ But tell me,” said the constable, ‘‘ to what circumstances you allude as having induced you to visit these rooms? And what did the young woman mean by her ejaculation which seemed to imply that she recognized this individual’s voice? ”’ “ One word, sir,” exclaimed Lady Saxondale, now thinking it high time to interfere. ‘ It appears that his lordship, my son, has received a service at this person’s hands, and as he himself has observed, it was natural he should come to ask for a reward. Perhaps he did not like to present himself in the usual manner at the castle gate, and therefore ob- tained stealthy entrance in the hope of finding an opportunity to speak to his lordship.”’ “ Yes, that’s exactly what it is,” growled Chiffin. ‘I was airaid that if I rang at the bell some of these powdered flunkeys would order me off, just because I don’t happen to have my Sunday clothes on, and so I thought — ” * You had better hold your tongue,” said the constable, sternly. “I can assure you that although her ladyship, in the goodness of her heart, may be inclined to put the most favourable construction on your proceeding, I am not to be equally misled. Young woman,” he added, turning to Lucilla, “ how is it that this man’s voice was at once familiar to you? ”’ “ Lucilla, do you hear the constable speak to you? ”’ cried Lady Saxondale. But she only thus addressed the maid in order to have an opportunity and an excuse for accosting her, and hastening up to the spot where she was standing, she added, in a hurried whisper, ‘‘ Not a word of the real truth! Say it wasa mistake!” _~—_— = CONNIE OOOKS (FO)